Please visit our sponsor.

re-fined dining: re-play kids’ tableware

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Green Walnut, The Healthy Walnut
Feb 292012
 

My daughter’s very first “big girl” dinner plate has finally met its maker. After countless washings and many meals, the barnyard animals lovingly laminated on the divided sections are practically peeling off. A bit of a dining hazard…unless you want a side of toxic plastic with those mashed potatoes. These days I know I’m not alone when keeping an eye out for kids’ products that don’t have a zillion potential dangers lurking in their construction. And when it comes to mealtime, I’m especially mindful of safety first. It’s why the new Re-Play line of kids’ dishware and cutlery calls out to moms like me. Made from recycled milk jugs, this line is as environmentally-friendly as it gets. At first grasp, I could tell these products were tougher than they looked; the springtime hues of these sturdy plates, cups, bowls and utensils belie their sturdy exterior. Not only could we load up those plates with a well-rounded meal of chicken, rice and veggies, but they stood up to one dish-washing after another. Plates that don’t fall apart at the seams make this mom very happy. (And not having to explain why a horse on that plate no longer has a head  is even better…)

In a Nutshell: This line of BPA-free kids’ dishware will make you “re-think” exactly what kind of dinner you’ll be serving up tonight.

Tags: , , , , , ,

retro recycling: alex juice tab jewelry

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Feb 282012
 

Nearly every Monday morning, my day begins with a pop. Opening up a new container of O.J.  for my family’s breakfast involves fussing with that pesky juice tab–and some careful manipulation. If I don’t watch out, I’m liable to splash juice all over the kitchen counter, not to mention me! What exactly are these pull tabs good for, anyway? I finally got my answer when I saw the new Juice Tab Jewelry line from ALEX at Toy Fair earlier this month. These otherwise impractical do-dads have been fashioned into the latest crafting accessory for girls ages 6+. You’ll recognize the telltale tween icons in the button holes–from peace signs and hearts, to flowers and stars–and they couldn’t be any easier to put together. Just pull down the tab’s ring, fit it through another juice tab and so on and so on. You’ll have made a colorful bracelet faster than you can say “peace love world.”  Each set comes with 12 tabs and is available in a variety of citrus-inspired collections, like Tropical Zest, Wild & Fruity and Berry Blast. This is not only a great rainy day activity, but an ideal birthday party ice-breaker (the Party Punch set comes with 48 tabs). Besides, we think it’s a much more amusing way to put those O.J. tabs to good use.

In a Nutshell: We got the juice! Juice Tab Jewelry provides 100% of your kid’s daily serving of playtime.

Tags: , , , ,

good snacking to go: kraft and stonyfield farms

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Green Walnut
Feb 272012
 

As I empty out the remnants of snack foods from last week’s winter break, my bag tells the tale of our between-meals diet. Mini boxes of raisins, discarded cracker wrappings and crushed Goldfish dot the interior like a modern day version of abstract art. (While I strive to make mostly healthy choices for my family, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to a stray gummy bear squashed in there.) Because we spent our February break in and out of the airport, portable was the name of the game and let’s just say that after three days of Triscuits, my girls craved a little something different. Since we’ve returned home, I’ve had the good fortune to come across two snack-worthy treats for traveling diners–especially those with bite-sized appetites. Granola lovers will delight in the latest snack bar incarnation: Kraft MilkBite. A combination of milk and whole-grain granola makes for a satisfying, mid-morning (or afternoon) treat. We like that the good stuff is cleverly disguised in a variety of flavors, including strawberry, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin and–believe it or not–chocolate (!). We put a few bars through some “rigorous” testing and found them to be a real crowd pleaser. If you’re a mom who’s on the lookout for no high fructose corn syrup, you’ve found it with MilkBite. And if you’ve got a yogurt lover in the house who’s finally tired of yogurt tubes, Stonyfield YoKids Greek is all the rage. It has the rich consistency of the Greek yogurt fad that’s making headlines, without adding to waistlines. Packed with protein and calcium and available in strawberry and raspberry, this is one richly rewarding food choice. We’re big fans of yogurt as it is, so when this family decided to “go Greek,” there was no turning back. Maybe someday, my entire family will graduate to full-sized meals with all four food groups (sigh). In the meantime, we’re savoring healthy eating via snacktime!

In a Nutshell: Kraft MilkBite is, bar none, a nutritious alternative to ho-hum granola bars; Stonyfield YoKids Greek gives sophisticated kids a sampling of haute cuisine, dairy-style.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

tangled up in green: bayberry naturals detangler

 The Green Walnut, The Healthy Walnut
Feb 242012
 

Life as a mom is hardly a Bob Dylan song. The days of being completely carefree and going wherever the wind may take me are on hold…at least for now. Instead, my routine follows its own predictable rhythm of bus stops, preschool drop-offs, homework, dinner and the three B’s: bath, book and bed. Even with a schedule that hums like a well-oiled machine, there’s always those little snags that slow us down: a pair of shoes whose dread wears out, a backpack whose zipper that goes unstuck and kids’ hair. You heard me right on that last one. Yup, combing and styling my girls’ finer-than-fine hair is a never-ending battle. On the one hand, I have a 7-year-old who can’t quite grasp the concept of parting your hair on one side and keeping it that way. And the 3-year-old’s stubborn streak carries over to having her clips match her clothes…and deciding to pull them out no less than 5x a day to see what they look like (ever hear of a mirror, kid?). Fortunately, I’ve gotten one kid hair-styling task mastered–and one that no one messes with–and that’s untangling. I love the idea of hearing a comb slide effortlessly through their poker-straight locks, fresh from the bath. And that’s thanks to a simple spray of Bayberry Naturals’ Organic Leave-In Detangler. This is truly the fruit of the hair goddesses–and it smells like it, too. Because this detangler works best after it sits on your hair for a minute or two, it gives this time-pressed mom another moment to choose a book for storytime. If you’re a fan of green-minded kids’ products, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Organic Detangler contains no sulfates, no parabens, no phthalates and no artificial fragrances or dyes. Let’s just say it’s as healthy to smell as it is to put on those precious little heads.

In a Nutshell: No messes with these tresses anymore. Because the only “Tangled” in your life should be a Disney movie.

Tags: , , , , , ,

vineyard-bound: playmobil harbor line

 The Playful Walnut
Feb 232012
 

After an unseasonably mild day in the middle of February, my thoughts naturally turn to summer vacation. Each year, our family takes a week-long getaway by trading in the daily Long Island rat-race for a leisurely paced sojourn somewhere in New England. Last summer it was Gloucester, Mass. and the year before that, coastal Rhode Island (we tend to favor towns by the sea, if you hadn’t already guessed). As I peruse the myriad of family-friendly destinations up north, I find myself drawn to Martha’s Vineyard again and again. I love the idea of a place where my day is dictated by what beach I’ll swim in and what flavor of homemade ice cream I’ll be sampling later on. Thoughts of a great escape couldn’t have been far behind in the making of Playmobil’s Harbor line of playsets and vehicles that will launch later this spring. We were treated to a walk-through of the line’s latest updates at last week’s Toy Fair where we paid particular attention to the Car Ferry with Pier. Not only does this ferry really float, but it has a fold-up ramp that ensures a smooth departure for both vacationing vehicles and their passengers. It also comes with four figures, a motorbike, bicycle and life rings to get people to their destination safely. So, no matter whether your resident playmates are headed to the Cape or up the coast, with the Playmobil Car Ferry, they won’t miss the boat. As for me, I’ll send you a postcard when I get to the Vineyard…

In a Nutshell: Feel like you ferry your kids around all day? Let their imaginations take them for a ride instead –and tell them it’s the captain’s  day off. The Playmobil Car Ferry with Pier will be available in April.

Tags: , , , ,

creative conducting: b.toys symphony in b

 The Playful Walnut
Feb 202012
 

Helping kids develop an ear for music is one of the great joys of parenting. Ever since my girls could utter their first words, we’ve been introducing them to the different sounds and singers whose music delights our listening ears. My 7-year-old knew her Billy Joel from her Frank Sinatra even as a preschooler, while my 3-year-old is just beginning to identify a saxophone vs. a trumpet. We’re not surprised then that Symphony in B., a new musical toy that we saw at Toy Fair last week, has taken center stage. Following a shape sorter concept, mini maestros can place any combination of up to six miniature musical instruments (from a total of 13) in their corresponding slots, select the type of music they’d like to hear and let the serenading begin! Mix and matching everything from a clarinet to a sitar makes for unique composing. If you’re looking to playtime more educational, this toy is the perfect excuse to turn music-making into a learning experience. As each instrument sounds, it lights up to help kids pinpoint woodwinds from brass, percussion from strings. Before long, your kids will know their “Piano Man” from their “Ol’ Man River,” too.

In a Nutshell: Ready to move past pots and pans? Help your kids graduate from the School of Rock to something a bit more sophisticated will be like music to your ears.

Tags: , , , , ,

sweet tooth area: learning resources candy construction

 The Playful Walnut
Feb 162012
 

Blame it on the leftover Valentine’s Day candy lurking around our house, but we couldn’t help but notice the colorful confectioneries staring us down at Toy Fair this week. Everywhere we turned, there were sugary snack-inspired playthings that made our mouths water and our smiles widen. While we expected to see sweet treats in the crafts and pretend food categories, we never thought candy would make its ways into building toys. But what a sight for sore eyes it was! Like a kid in a candy store, we couldn’t get enough of Candy Construction, a 92-piece building set for ages 4-8. Plastic pieces in the likeness of chocolate bars, starlight mints, peppermint sticks and other classic dime-store candies make for vibrant houses, buildings and more. These pieces snap together easily, so little hands can assemble any number of constructions with little frustration. Not only is this building set ideal for year-round play, but come the holidays, it makes for a great (note: mess-free) alternative to gingerbread house making. Giving new meaning to eye candy, Candy Construction will give your kids a creative sugar high, minus the cavities.

In a Nutshell: Here’s one treat that kids will savor long after dessert. Candy Construction will be available in March.

 

Tags: , , , , ,

ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog: b.toys woofer

 The Playful Walnut
Feb 152012
 

The lucky mom that I am, I am treated to a musical serenade by my 3-year-old every afternoon. She pounds…er, plays on her kitty keyboard like there’s no tomorrow. It’s quite possible you have seen the offending musical instrument that I’m talking about: an orange-hued Cheshire cat that grins from ear to ear with a row of piano key teeth. My preschooler can’t get enough of this thing, and our ears (and forever-hiding family cat) are proof of her “music-making.” As much as I jest and sometimes cringe each time I hear her striking up the band, I secretly delight in her unabashed merriment in playing and singing along off-key. Her 7-year-old sister also partaking in the joy? Not so much… Maybe it’s because she feels a bit left out of this one-woman band and that the band leader isn’t partial to sharing (not yet, anyway). Imagine then when, earlier this week at Toy Fair,  we feasted our eyes on B.toys follow-up to the ever-popular Meowsic: Woofer, the hound dog-shaped guitar. We sampled the Woofer for ourselves at this week’s Toy Fair and man, can this pooch rock! You can strum along to 20 sing-along favorites, as well as 9 original Peppy Puppy songs, in one of three guitar styles: electric, acoustic or, our personal favorite, hound dog. Creative artists can also plunk out their own riffs as loud as they choose (there’s also a volume-control for more sensitive ears). Hotdog indeed! So, from the looks (and sounds) of things, our band just acquired a new member. Let’s just hope our cat will show her face again one of these days…

In a Nutshell: Got a Joan Jett wannabee on your hands? Hand her a Woofer and let ‘er rip!

Tags: , , , , , , ,

catch of the day: melissa & doug lobster

 The Playful Walnut
Feb 142012
 

These days, we’re hard-pressed to find a family with kids under the age of 5 who don’t own some toy made by Melissa & Doug. Be it a wooden puzzle, a pretend pizza-making kit or a craft set, many of the mom friends we know with young kids are familiar with the brand name and are more than impressed with the quality of their selection. One of our favorite lines under the Melissa & Doug umbrella is the backyard-focused Sunny Patch, a fresh-faced collection of gardening toys, sand/beach gear and rainy-day accessories. Now, we can really get the outdoor party started with the latest extension to the Sunny Patch line: Pool Party, featuring nearly 30 different toys and activities to keep kids entertained while in the water. We saw the entire assortment on display at this week’s Toy Fair in NYC, and couldn’t decide which one we liked the best. Perhaps because we’re Long Islanders born and bred, it was Louie Lobster Claw Catcher that caught our eye. Kids will have a ball squeezing Louie’s handle  to make his claws shut, while trying to grab any of his three fishy sinkers floating past. The more you splash around, the more waves you make and the harder it is for Louie to catch his dinner. We think Louie will be a big hit with the kindergarten and up crowd this summer.

In a Nutshell: Everybody into the pool…a new line of whimsical water toys are coming soon to a backyard near you.

Tags: , , , , ,

leapin’ lizards: madame alexander annie doll

 The Playful Walnut
Feb 132012
 

I was bitten by the acting bug at a tender age and, like most girls from my generation, Annie was one of my first starring roles. At the sixth grade middle school talent show, I belted out “Tomorrow,” decked in the signature red and white dress and of course, the curly red wing–straight from the J.C. Penney catalog. You can only imagine how thrilled my mom was when I reprised my role the following school year in a medley of show tunes, including selections from “Annie.” The dress and wig were dusted off and put to good use yet again. And while I’ve since grown up, I’m happily passing on my (and my husband’s) love of musical theatre to our 7-year-old who has  just started exercising her own acting chops. Maybe that’s why the new Annie doll from Madame Alexander caught my eye while walking the halls at Toy Fair in NYC. She’s a gal that’s right at home in the Big Apple and poised to return to her Broadway roots this fall when the musical returns to the stage. This doll is a stunning replica of the little orphan herself, right down to her lovely locket. We think she’s bound to capture the hearts of a new generation of Broadway babies, not to mention yours truly.

In a Nutshell: Everyone’s favorite orphan takes center stage in the playroom with this limited edition Annie doll.

 Older Entries